DRILLING-DRILL. Drilling is the name applied to the mode of sowing in regular rows, as distinguished from broadcast sowing, and the drill is the name of the implement employed in this process; the term drill is also frequently applied to a row of drilled crop, as a drill of potatoes, corn, or turnips. In all countries in which maize and Indian corn are grown, the principle of drilling has been long known and acted upon. In gardening it has been practiced everywhere from time immemorial; but its extension to field-culture is comparatively of recent date. Jethro Tull invented a drilling-machine in the early part of last century, and did much to show its merits in the culture of grain and root crops. Since his time, the use of this implement, in the case of both white and green crops, has iu many districts become general. The crops which are now most generally drilled, are clover, flax, cereals, beans, pease, potatoes, turnips, beet-root, cole seed, and carrots. Of these, clover and flax are sown in drills at about 3 or 4 in. apart; cereals from 6 to 12 in.; and beans, potatoes, and turnips at from 25 to 30 in. apart; the general rule, however, with most green crops, being that the space between the rows should admit of the passage of a light plow or hoe, drawn by a horse, without danger to the plants. A great variety of drills are now in use. The system of the grain in d lifting small cups and conveying it to the coulters has been long in use. Garrett Saxmund ham, Suffolk, and Hornsby of Grantham, are favorite makers of corn and turnip drills. Latterly, R. Reid & Co. of Aberdeen have acquired fame with their patent
disk corn-drill, which is popular in Scotland and some parts of England. One powerful recommendation of drilling is, that by means of it a considerable saving of seed Is effected in the sowing of white crops; but the great advantage is, that in the case of green crops, it enables the farmer more readily to clean the land, both by the hand and by the horse hoc. About one-half the seed suffices when deposited by the drill-machine, compared with what the hand-sowing requires, and the seed is more regularly spread and better covered. The braird comes up more uniformly, and the straw is stronger and stiffer. Drill-sowing is slow work, but it is so efficient that it is gaining on the broad-cast. To keep the soil stirred and pulverized, which can only be properly done where the crops have been drilled, favors the retention and absorption of the moisture.
In England, turnips are sometimes drilled by a machine on the fiat; while in Scotland, they are always sown on ridges or drills formed by the double-molded plow. The double-board or drill plow is to be found now on almost every farm, and its introduction has saved much labor. Turnip •sowing machines which take two drills at the time have been common for years, and potato-planters taking two rows at the stripe are being introduced, but have not been established yet. One of these was tried, with interest and success, at the Royal English Show, held at Hull, in 1873.